Electrically heated plastics press



P 1950 R. E. BUTLER 2,521,282

ELECTRICALLY HEATED PLASTICS PRESS Filed Nov. 21, 1947 I 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. '90; 4"", iz/f/er P 1950 R. E. BUTLER 2,521,282

ELECTRICALLY HEATED PLASTICS PRESS Filed Nov. 21, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Evy A". 51/77 P 1950 R. & BUTLER 2,521,282

ELECTRICALLY HEATED PLASTICS PRESS Filed Nov. 21, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES 2,521,282 ELECTRICALLY HEATED PLASTICS B Bvflc Sen Fasc m cec- Application November 21, 1947, Serial No. 787,333

This invention relates to an apparatus .for molding plastic materials,and in particular .for moldingplastic covers on identification cardsand the like.

It is an object of .the invention to provide an apparatus for molding .plastic objects and the like, and more particularly for molding plastic covers on-identification cards and the like, which is efficient vin its operation, both in the heating and cooling steps.

.It is a further object ofthe invention to provide amolding apparatus.formoldingplastic articles under heat and .pressure, which is compact in design, which performs automatically the functions of heating andcompressing the plasno material, of setting or curing the molded object and of cooling theobject after molding and setting.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

The apparatus of .the invention comprises .at .leasttwo platens, positionable one on top of the other, and preferably .three such platens stacked one .on top of the other; means .for applying pressure to the faces of the platens; means for .supplying'heattoone of the platens (tothe middle platen in the preferred embodiment employ- ,ing'three platens) andmeans for automatically cutting off the supply ofheat,whentemperature .of the heated platen reaches a predetermined value and forturning on a current of. cooling air .tocool the. heated platens and the molded objects.

The inventionwill be betterundcrstood by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating-the preferred embodiment of, the invention.

:In the drawings:

Fig.1 is a front elevation ofthe apparatus.

,Fig. ,2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. I

i-Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus, .partlyin elevation, taken along the line 3 3, of 55152 Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly 1 in section, showingthe manner inwhich themold assemblies are inserted between I the platens.

Fig.5 is a. planview of the apparatus with the lid .or cover portion removed.

-Iig. 6 is a. longitudinal, cross-sectional view of thaheating element as viewed inFig. 2, but,in ;greater detail. and; toean enlarged scale.

- Fig.7 is a schematic wiring diagram.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings, {the apparatus is enclosed by andsupported within a casing generally designated as 5, comprising a Ebottom por ion 2 and a. .lid or cover portion 3,

the lid 3 being hinscdIy attached to the rear portiononbuttomz hymeansei hinge .4 as shown more l rlyiinsfiis. 4.. Bottcmpo icmz als .p cv dcd w d cking member or la ch .5 .wh c is .rotatably connected to; flange .5 on bot om portion 2 and. en a es lugs on cover? when th platen .20 mou ed on ..posts .2!-

apparatus is incl ed, locked osi ion. AsshQW more clearly in Fig. .2, cover 3 is also provided with a rear passage .or opening 8 and a .frcnt pa sa e} in alig mentwith p ssage .nir ntpassa nspartl covered for prctccticnaeain entry of dust by shelf ljl. ,Qn the front face ,of

bo tom p r ion ,2 are ,a main switc 1, .a low heat switch-l2, an t 'rlfi gfiwitc J3, endindi n l ht lfl a dl lb.

Positioned w thin the hamber, d fined byho t m 2' a d cover 3 isthe mechanism for com- .underside of platen 20. Lever 25i, when,inreleased position, rests against lugs 23c.

csitioned on and secured .to the upper surifacepf r t n a bes o a .0 a in an a bestos paper liner 3| secu'redto the top thereof.

Positioned immediately underneathliner 31 is ,a

w e-m nur ca nt c wi h the liner, having leads 32a 1 connecting with thermometer 32b securedto the rear of cover 3. A

I similar l' but inverted upper. platen 20d: having an ci c c xiedil nd. a a b ist Pace llnc E3 A u nd d :f c a us b e in e d .Lsnil ,members or posts .33 screwedintothe roof of cover 3 and having" screw ,heads 34 ,tolimit the a cw tr ve a en 2W Sc ew csh i ifi h e de t oughcc c ccvc a ne s' the upper surface of top platen zlla and by manipuf' i n c ,h mcmbc ficx rt dc nWc rdr-directed pressure on platen 213a.

Positioned ;between lower a and upper platens 20 and 20a is an intermediate'lplaten or heating element 40. described in more detail hereinbelow. Heating element ishinged by means of arm d! and sleeves; 42 to threaded posts tilby wh mean t vc t callcvc c hc tins clcment 40, when in horizontal position, can be readily adjusted.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 6 of the drawings, showing the heating element 40 in longitudinal cross section, the heating element is a composite structure comprising a central portion or grid 45 of aluminum or other suitable metal having a large coeflicient of expansion and. provided with longitudinal passages 46 running from the rear to the front of the element, a fibrous layer 41 of suitable heat resistant material covering the top and bottom surfaces of the grid element, and metal plates 48 covering the top and bottom fibrous layers and forming the upper and lower surfaces of heating element 40. Embedded within each fibrous layer 41 are resistance wires 50, having leads 50a for connection with the electrical circuit, as explained in detail below.

The operation of the apparatus as thus far de scribed is as follows: Referring more particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawings, cover 3 is swung backward into the position shown and heating element 40 is also swung backward as shown. The mold assemblies are put together as shown in Fig. 4, with upper and lower molds 55 (shown for purposes of illustration as shallow, dish-like structures) enclosing upper and lower plastic sections 56, between which is sandwiched an identification card or other similar object 51.

One such assembly is placed upon lower platen 20, then heating element 40 is swung downward on top of the assembled structure, the second assembly is placed on top of heating element 40, cover 3 is closed, which automatically brings upper platen 20a down on top of or close to the upper mold assembly. Pressure is then exerted on the upper and lower platens by moving lever 23forward (in the right-hand direction in the view of Fig. 4), and by screwing down screw shaft 35 by means of head member 36. When sufiicient pressure has been applied, the apparatus is then in readiness for application of heat.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, brackets 60 secured to arms 4| support transverse bar 6| rearwardly of and parallel to the rear edge of heating element 40. Bar BI is constructed of any suitable metal having a low thermal coefi'icient of expansion, such as steel, but preferably the metal known as Invar. end of bar 6| has a lateral extension 62 extending perpendicularly from the main portion of bar 6|. From extension 62 is suspended a thermostatic switch 63, which is provided internally with any suitable pressure-sensitive switch element (not shown). A spring loaded pin 64 protrudes through the inner side of box 63 adjacent one of the arms 4|. This switch is suitably a Micro-Switch, which is the registered trade-mark of a product of the Micro-Switch Division of the First Industrial Corp. of Freeport, Illinois. However, any other sensitive switch may be used which is adapted to be actuated mechanically, thermally or otherwise in response to predetermined temperature setting. The particular switch shown, which is well known in the art, is actuated by pin 64. Normally, a spring holds pin 64 in outwardly extended position with the switch closed. A very slight inward movement of pin 64 operates to open the switch.

Switch 63 is so positioned that pin 64 is positioned opposite but in close proximity to an arm 4|.

One

through ovate slots 66 in transverse bar 6|, so as to permit a slight lateral movement of said bar. This movement may be accomplished manually with delicate control by means of adjusting screw I0 passing through downwardly extending tab or flange II at the end of bar 6| opposite to switch 63. The end of screw 10 engages the adjacent arm 4|. It will be seen that by turning screw I0 to the right or to the left, the distance between pin 64 and'its adjacent arm 4| can be adjusted, as desired, the purpose of which will be explained hereinbelow. Spring I2 secured at one end (nearer switch 63) to bracket 60 and at the opposite end to lug 13 secured to bar 6| functions to urge bar 6| to the right (in the view of Fig. 3) and to hold switch 63 and pin 64 away from arm 4I.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, a fan case 15 is positioned rearwardly of cover 3 and in alignment with passage 8. Mounted on the fan case is an electric motor I6, with its shaft keyed to the hub of fan 16a in such manner that, when the motor is operating, a current of air will pass through passage 8 and the passageways 46 in heating element 40 and outwardly through passage 9 in the front of the apparatus. 2

Referring now to Fig. 7 of the drawings, showing diagrammatically the electrical wiring of the apparatus, one power lead, I00a of a power line connects with one terminal of a three-pronged plug and socket IM and the other power lead, I00b, connects with one terminal of main switch II. The heater circuit through resistance wires 50 of heating element 40 (which are showmfor simplicity, as a pair of resistances) during the heating cycle, is as follows: One terminal of a relay coil I02 is connected with the opposite terminal of main switch II through lead I03 and also with relay switch I04 through'lead I05. Relay switch I04 is actuated by relay coil I02 so as to contact either of two relaycontacts I06 and I01, but is normally in contact with I06. Contact I06 is in turn connected through line |I0, low heat switch I2, lead III, a second terminal of plug-and-socket IOI and lead II! to one terminal of thermostatic switch 63, The opposite terminal of switch 63 is connected through lead II3 to resistance wires 50, the'two wires being in parallel, and is also connected through branch lead II3a to the third terminal of plug-and-socket IN. The heater circuit is completed through resistance wires 50, lead II4, plug-and-socket IM and power lead I00a.

The motor-fan circuit is through power lead I001), main switch II, leads I03 and I05, relay switch I04 and contact I01 (when closed, as explained hereinbelow) thence lead I20, motor I6 and lead I2I connecting with power lead I00a at terminal I22.

Other, subsidiary circuits paralleling the main circuits described above, will be bette explained by the ensuing description of operation ofth e electrical circuits. V I I As described above, the objects to bemolded are placed within their respective molds, the mold assemblies are placed in position, one on lower platen 20 and the other on heating element 40, cover 3 is shutand locked and suitable pressure is applied to the platens by screw 35 and lever 23. Adjusting screw I0 will meanwhile have been adjusted to cause impingement of pin 64 against arms 4| when a predetermined temperature is reached, whereby thermostatic switch 63 will opened. This adjustment requires only a. miniof triai anaerr r such as a few settings of screw and readings of thermometer 32b for calibration. A circular card (not shown) may, indeed, be mounted on arm 4| encircling the shaft of screw 10, with radial temperature markings thereon accordance with the calibrations. H

Tlien main switch II is closed and current passes through lead I001), switch II, and lead I03. Since relay switch I04 is in contact with -"rela'y contact 106, while contact 101 is open, the relay coil I02 is short-circuited and current passes through *leads I 05 and I1 0, low heat switch I2 (which is normally closed), lead I I I, plug IOI, lead "IT2, thermostatic switch'63, lead II3, heat-- ing element 4'0 (1. e, th'i'bugh resistance wires "50) lead "In, plug T01 and power lead 100a.

When the predetermined 'ter'nperature has been reached, "and "aluminum spacer 45 of heating ele- 'f'ih'ent in has are new 'sumcienuy to contact in 6 4, thermostatic itch 63 opens, thus interrupting the heater c1 hit and removing the short Cilblllt flolffl TEIEZS Grill I52. Relay COll IE2 then 'o'pelates'to centact'sw'itch I04 with contact I01.

Current then passes through lead I20, motor 16,

lead I2l and power lead I00a. Motor I6 operates fan I8, which blows air through passages 46 in spacer 45, thus cooling heating element 40, platens and 20a and the mold assemblies. During the cooling cycle, spacer 05 will contract and disengage pin 64, thus allowing thermostatic switch 63 to close. However, since relay contact I06 is now open and contact I01 is closed, current will not pass through the heater circuit but will continue to pass through the motor circuit.

When the heating and cooling cycles have been completed, main switch II is opened, which causes relay contact I06 to close and contact I01 to open in readiness for the next heating cycle. The mold assemblies are removed and new assemblies are inserted for repetition of these cycles.

To provide additional safety and nicety of control, over-riding switch I3 and low heat switch I2 are provided. Thus, iffor any reason it is desired to heat the mold assembly above the thermostatic setting, over-riding switch I3 is closed, which short circuits relay coil I02, insures closing of relay contact I06 and. opening of contact I01, (to prevent current flowing through the motor circuit) and passes current to heating element 40 through leads I and I26. On the other hand, should it be desirable to cut out the heater circuit and start the motor circuit before the thermostatic setting has been reached, low heat switch I2 is opened, which interrupts the heater circuit and removes the short circuit of relay coil I02, which closes contact I01 and starts motor I6.

Indicating lights Ma and Mb, which conveniently have distinguishing colors, indicate, respectively, normal operation of the motorcircuit and operation of the heater circuit through overriding switch I3. Light Ida is shunted across the motor circuit by lead I having resistance I 3|, and lead I32. Light Mb is shunted across the heater circuit, while over-riding switch I3 is closed, by lead I33 having resistance I34, and lead I35.

It will be understood that variations in the structure, design and wiring of the apparatus described above may be made within the scope of the invention. It will also be understood that the apparatus of the invention is adapted to molding diverse types of plastic ob'ects, includ- (5 ing those of intricate design, and not alone to molding simple objects such as enclosures for identification cards. The advantages of the apparatus, including its dependable, automatic functioning and its ease of operation are applicable to a great diversity of I molding jobs, and

can be used with both thermoplastic and thermosetti-ng resins.

It will also be apparent that other types of thermostatic elements well known in the art may be used in place of the aluminum grid or spacer 05, the Invar bar 6-] and the pin actuated switch 63. However, the ther-mo-mechanical mechanism shown is preferred in that itis economical, dependable and easily adjustable. This latter system is operative as long a there is a substantial differential between the thermal 'expansibilities-of spacer 45 and bar 61, although it is preferred to 'use'a material such as aluminum or its alloys in the spacer and a material such as Invar in the bar to provide a very wide differential.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A molding apparatus comprising top and bottom platen members, means for applying pressure to said top and bottom platen members, a middle platen member positioned between said top and bottom platen members and provided with heating means and with a plurality of passages extending through the member, and means for interrupting the supply of heat to the middle platen member and for initiating flow of air through said passages when the middle platen member reaches a predetermined temperature.

2. Molding apparatus comprising top and bottom platen members; means for applying pressure thereto; a middle platen member provided with passages extending therethrough and with an electric heating element positioned within said member and adjacent each face thereof, said middle member being constructed of a metal having a high thermal coeflicient of expansion; a heating circuit including said heating elements and also including a pressure sensitive switch so positioned with respect to said middle member as to remain closed until said member reaches a predetermined temperature and to open by pressure exerted by the expanding middle member when said predetermined temperature is reached; a cooling circuit normally open while said pressure-sensitive switch is closed, and normally closed while said switch is open, said cooling circuit including a motor; and a fan driven by the motor and so positioned as to blow air through said passages in the middle platen memher.

3. A molding apparatus comprising a plural ity of platens adapted to compress and support a mold assembly, including a heated platen formed with air passages extending therethrough, an electrical heating element for said heated platen, a heating circuit for said element, means including an electric motor for passing air through said passages, a circuit for said motor, means for closing said heating circuit, means for opening said heating circuit when the heated platen reaches a predetermined temperature, and means for automatically closing said motor circuit when said heating circuit is thus opened.

4. A molding apparatus comprising a plurality of platens adapted to compress and support a mold assembly, including a heated platen formed with air passages extending therethrough, an electrical heating element for heating said heated platen, a heating circuit for said element,

means including an electric motor for passing air through said passages, a circuit for said motor, means for closing said heating circuit, thermally operable means for opening said heating circuit when the heated platen reaches a predetermined temperature, means for automatically closing said motor circuit when said heating circuit is thus opened, and means for overriding said thermally operable means and said automatic means whereby said platen may be heated above said predetermined temperature.

5. A molding apparatus comprising a plurality of platens adapted to compress and support a mold assembly, including a heated platen provided with air passages extending therethrough and with an electric heating element, an electric heating circuit for said heating element, a fan for passing air through said air passages and an electric motor for operating said fan, an electric circuit for said motor, a switch for said heating circuit including a pressure responsive contact member, means associated with said heated platen operable upon thermal expansion to actuate said pressure-sensitive contact to open --said'switch, a masterswitch and a relay associated with said heatingcircuit and motor circuit operable to close said heating circuit when said master switch is closed and to open said heating circuit and close said motor circuit when said heated platen reaches a predetermined temperature. I

ROY E. BUTLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

